Roses

Chapter 7

"Liam? Are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

It's the first time that I'm not paying attention to what Angela is saying. And I have a good reason. I'm still shocked by the letter my mother received two days ago. From today, we only have twenty-eight days left.

"You don't seem alright..."

"Don't worry. What did you say?"

She studies my facial expression for a few seconds — I probably look like an idiot, just smiling like that — and asks me:

"I was just asking you if you heard about the ball. You know... for the end of year."

"Oh, I didn't. It's not my kind of stuff..."

I don't even know if I'll still be there, Angela.

She shrugs.

"Me neither."

We stay silent for a few minutes. During those minutes, I try to gather my courage and ask her something. Something that I wanted to ask her for a long time. Finally, I take a deep breath.

"Hey, Angela. I... I was wondering if... you'd like to go to the movies... with me this Friday. Or Saturday. Or whenever you want."

Gosh, I wish I could've said that without stammering. It sounded better in my head...

You idiot, she will say no.

"Yes. Why not?" she responds with a little smile.

I look at her, surprised.

"Wait, what?"

She laughs.

"This Friday, after school, okay?"

"Alright! But wait, did you just accept my invitation?"

"You idiot! Of course I did!" she replies with a light punch on my shoulder.

"Ow!" I say, which makes her laugh again. "Okay, then! I'm glad you did."

"Why did you think I would say no?" Angela questions me with a serious face.

"I... I don't know. Low self-confidence, I guess." I lie, which is half true.

"Oh. I see."

She doesn't believe me but doesn't point it out. Before she opens the door of her house, I just thought about something.

You idiot! If she asks you about the ball, it's probably because she wants to go with you! Maybe...

"Hey! Angel, wait!"

She turns to me.

"Yeah?"

C'mon, you can do it.

I take another deep breath before asking:

"Would you like to go to the ball with me?"

She looks at me without saying anything, but I swear that she is blushing. I don't know if she is going to say yes for this, because I mean, it's a ball. It's not the same thing as going to the movies.

"Sure, Liam. I would be glad to go with you." she says softly.

***

You're all I think about when I'm awake

Part of every night and every day

And everything's a mess when you're away

Now I ain't know...*

I sigh, a hand in my messy hair and the other one holding my guitar. I like to play guitar when I think about too many things at the same time. My new job for example. I don't work everyday at the library. Only four days a week. But it's okay as long as I make enough money for... For what exactly? For the house? My studies? No. To afford this, I'd have to apply for many jobs at the same time. I won't have time for school, my mom or Angela... I mean, she's not my girlfriend but... You know what I mean. Still, she said yes! For the movies AND the ball. But again, I don't know if it's right. I mean, I'm the loser of the school. I don't want to ruin her reputation or anything like that. I mean, I don't think she is the kind of girl who cares about that, but still... Plus, will I be able to make her happy?

A knock on my door drives me away from my thoughts.

"Honey, dinner is ready."

"Thanks, Mom."

As soon as I sit, I notice that my mom is playing nervously with her hands. When she does that, it's usually a bad sign.

"Mom?"

"Honey, I have to tell you something."

"What, you are actually a secret agent and now, you want to train me to become like you?" I nervously joke.

My mom smiles, but her grin quickly fades away.

"Liam, you remember about your aunt Mary?"

I don't like the turn this conversation is taking. Deep down, I think I know what my mother is trying to say.

"You mean the one who was pregnant about three years ago?"

"Yes."

"Okay, and?"

I really don't like that.

"She... told me we could go live with her and her husband. Their house is big enough for two other people. And you could babysit for her."

"But, Mom..."

I knew it was only a matter of time before we have to leave the house, but so quickly?

"We could have bit of money by selling your father's stuff, but there's no way I'm doing this."

"I won't let you do it anyway."

I sigh sadly.

"Alright. Where do Uncle Jake and Aunt Mary live?"

My mom takes a deep breath — just like me before asking Angela to go to the ball with me.

"New York."

"New York?!"

It's almost like four or five hours from here — and that's with a car!

*Crazy, by Shawn Mendes 💕😍❤️